Atlantic Beach Neighbors and Contributors of STARD.
Today we face a critical moment in our fight against gentrification by a New York condo/hotel developer on the precious environmental and cultural landscape of Atlantic Beach. The stakes are high, and our energy must match the magnitude of this threat. On July 10,2023, Jacqueline Gore, Mayor Jake Evans, and Josephine Isom, long-serving members of the Atlantic Beach Council, shamefully voted in favor of zoning changes that pave the way for the developer, Charles Morant’s application to build a 21-story hotel/condo on the oceanfront. A shocked and crowded community center watched the council betray the very essence of our community.
True to their intentions, on July 11th, Morant’s group submitted their application to build, ready to irrevocably alter the fabric of Atlantic Beach. Many of you were there or watched during the council meeting, where our fellow residents, property owners and esteemed organizations like the NAACP spoke loudly, urged and pleaded with the council, unified, and expressing collective disapproval of the proposed high-rise project. We called for our elected officials to reject this zoning change and fulfill their duty with a thorough review of the outdated comprehensive plan and conduct due diligence before casting their votes. However, our pleas fell on deaf ears. It’s apparent that Benjamin Quattlebaum, the town manager, orchestrated this ordinance in favor of the developer. Leigh Kane, the Local Planning Services Director of the Waccamaw Council of Governments, was conveniently commissioned to write the ordinance, impacting only the parcels crucial to the developer’s plans. This smells like nothing short of illegal spot zoning.
The Supreme Court of South Carolina defines spot zoning as, the process of singling out a small parcel of land for use classification total different from that of the surrounding area, for the benefit of the owners of that property and to the detriment of other owners.” Clearly this zoning approval aligns perfectly with that definition.
What happens now? For us, supporters of STARD, this is a marathon, not a sprint. BECAUSE OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS OUR CITIZEN’S GROUP IS POISED TO TAKE SWIFT LEGAL ACTION TO FILE OUR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DEVELOPER, INVOKING THE POWER OF THE TYSON RESIDENTIAL DEED RESTRICTIONS ON THE OCEANFRONT. Remember, our lawsuit and the expenses incurred administering STARD are funded entirely by contributions. That is what fuels our actions.
We urge you to share our website with the donation link with everyone you know. Help us to bolster our war chest and remain ready to repel this assault on the Black Pearl. Our strength lies in our unity. Follow, like and share our social media platforms. Amplify our message and raise awareness about the inadequacy of members in this Council and the lack of transparent government in our community. Atlantic Beach residents – register and vote for new candidates running for Town Council in the upcoming November 2023 election. Reaffirm our commitment to effective change.
Above all, remain positive and patient. Victory is not won until the final bell tolls. We are resilient, and our unwavering determination will carry us through this journey. Together, we will prevail.
Sincerely,
STARD Organizers
https://www.instagram.com/LstBlakBeachTwn/
https://no-beachfront-high-rises.com/
https://twitter.com/LstBlakBeachTwn
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